Words Can Hurt You

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This is what our parents told us when we were young, probably crying because someone said something mean to us. We knew even then this business about words never hurting us was a lie.

We knew it because we were hurting, and it was the words that hurt.

Some of our deepest psycho-spiritual needs are to feel connected to others, loved, respected, valued, and safe. Words can either create those feelings, or completely destroy them (and bring their opposites). Words can hurt more than a fist.

Some of the things we casually say to one another are unthinkably cruel, and thoughtlessly destructive. The Great Storyteller says in his book of wisdom that the “power of life and death is in the tongue.”

Every time you speak, you empower something. When you speak today, to others or to yourself, which will it be? Will you empower good or evil? Life or death?

Words empower either good or evil; there is no neutral. Wield them carefully.

Ray Edwards is a world-renowned copywriter and communications strategist, writing for some of the most powerful voices in leadership and business including New York Times bestselling authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Tony Robbins. Ray is a sought-after speaker and author, hosts a popular weekly podcast, and blogs at RayEdwards.com.

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About Ray Edwards

My name is Ray Edwards (in case you hadn’t guessed that yet). I’m a copywriter and communications strategist, and I’ve had the privilege of writing for or working with some of the most powerful voices in leadership and business including New York Times bestselling authors Michael Hyatt, Jeff Walker, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Tony Robbins. I’m also a speaker and author, and host a popular weekly iTunes Business podcast.